October, 2014 | 6sqft

Simply put, this historic Greenwich Village property, designed by BW Architects, is amazing. A sophisticated balance of design elements that blend the old with the new are incorporated throughout the 4000-square-foot home. And not only is it beautiful, but the 1840s townhome underwent an extensive reconstruction project, completed in 2012, that made it the first townhouse in downtown Manhattan to earn a LEED for Homes Gold rating. And have we mentioned its incredible rooftop office?
Check out the home

October 29, 2014

Daily Link Fix: Memorial Events for the Second Anniversary of Hurricane Sandy; A Modest Proposal for NYC Ambassador Taylor Swift

Pix11 has rounded up memorial events in New York and New Jersey to mark the second anniversary of Hurricane Sandy. It’s National Cat Day! And in honor of the occasion Uber’s UberKITTENS will deliver an ASPCA cat to your office for 15 minutes. More on Business Insider. In today’s Daily News, Jeremiah Moss, of Jeremiah’s […]

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October 29, 2014

It Will Cost $32 to Visit One World Trade Center’s Observatory

On Monday we learned that tourism is predicted to bring in one quarter, roughly $53 million, of the One World Trade Center's annual revenue by 2019. And now the much-talked-about ticket price to visit the three-floor observation deck of the tower, known as One World Observatory, has been revealed. It will cost $32 for an adult to visit the observatory when it opens in the spring of 2015.
More details and renderings of the observatory ahead

October 29, 2014

Unique Historic Penthouse with Intriguing Past Asks $7 Million

By Aisha Carter

The penthouse of one of Manhattan’s most prestigious and unique landmark apartment houses has just hit the market, asking $7.25 million. The one-of-a-kind pad was formerly the squash-tennis court of Kingdon Gould, grandson of the infamous multimillionaire financier Jay Gould, who notably fell from grace for manipulating gold and railroad stocks. Kingdon’s custom-built quarters consisted of a triplex penthouse with a fourth-level painting studio for his mother, and 20 rooms, including a double-height music room.
Take a look inside, here

October 28, 2014

Happy Birthday Lady Liberty! She Turns 128 Today

Every day Lady Liberty stands tall holding high her torch in celebration of our nation's freedom. Since today is Miss Liberty's 128th birthday, we thought it would only be appropriate to take some time out of our busy schedules to return the favor. Join us for a brief look back at some of Miss Liberty's most notable moments throughout history. Happy birthday Lady Liberty, and here we go!
Fun facts on Miss Liberty here

History

Will Bill Ackman Be Able to Pull off a $90M Condo Flip at One57?

One57 and the view from the $90 million penthouse

October 28, 2014

Will Bill Ackman Be Able to Pull off a $90M Condo Flip at One57?

It's true that One57′s first flip saw a $3.5 million profit in just five months, but that unit sold for $34 million the second time around. A selling price of more than $90 million is a different story--and that's exactly what hedge fund manager William (Bill) Ackman is hoping to achieve. In a profile in the Times on Sunday, Ackman was revealed as the buyer of the $90 million penthouse at the luxury building, which is sure to see its share of flips. But he also shared that he has no intention of ever living in the apartment. He'll stay with his wife and daughters at their current home in the Beresford and use the penthouse as a "fun" investment opportunity for himself and some good friends, perhaps hosting a few parties there in the meantime.
More on the planned flip here

Real Estate Trends

October 28, 2014

Real Estate Wire: Citi Bike Will Expand; 150-Year-Old Synagogue Receives Landmark Status

After half a century of petitioning, the Tifereth Israel Town & Village Synagogue at 334 East 14th Street was made a landmark today by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. [GVSHP] Citi Bike has been saved—and will double in size by 2017 to 12,000 bicycles and 700 docks. Those looking to ride should also expect a […]

Real Estate Trends

Distinctive Homes

Asking $20M, a university president's Greenwich Village residence enters a new chapter

For $4.6M, this classic Park Slope limestone updates history without erasing the details

This $5.75M Clinton Hill two-family home is five floors of brownstone perfection

This $2.6M apartment offers classic Upper East Side elegance with condo simplicity

Bed-Stuy brownstone living in a compact condo for $725K

For $8.85M, a condo with Central Park and Manhattan skyline views from every room

This $19M sky palace high above Park Avenue has a manor house-worthy terrace garden

Step from the glass-clad conservatory onto a magical tea porch in this $7.25M Brooklyn Heights townhouse

Cozy Brooklyn Heights co-op has pre-war charm and a bright, sunny kitchen for $1.5M

This $1.4M Astoria home is all about flexible, fabulous, and fun townhouse living

VIEW ALL

October 28, 2014

Elegant Chelsea Loft Features Storybook Detailing and Peaceful Garden

New to the market is this beautifully designed two-bedroom loft located at 161 West 15th Street in Chelsea. The property is nestled in the corner of the Jensen Lewis Building, one of Chelsea's best prewar loft buildings, and boasts a slew of luxury features. Huge windows, 12-foot vaulted ceilings and a peaceful garden make this home the perfect escape from the hustle of the New York City's streets.
READ MORE

Distinctive Homes

October 28, 2014

I-Beam Design’s Pixelated Chelsea Renovation is Made From 20,000 LEGO Bricks

By Ana Lisa Alperovich

We all love and played with LEGO when we were kids, and this New York loft apartment is just another great example of how versatile the colorful Danish bricks are. The story begins when the son of Melissa Marks and Vicente Caride got too old not to have a door on his bedroom, so his parents decided to renovate their Chelsea loft in an innovative and playful way. I-Beam Design was called to do the job, and together with LEGO artist Sean Kenney they created an amazing pixelated new stair railing and wall using 20,000 LEGO bricks.
Learn more about this pixelated home

October 28, 2014

Daily Link Fix: How to Put Midtown’s Empty Pied-a-Terres to Good Use; 3D-Printed Photos for People without Vision

Brick Underground suggests nine ways to put Midtown’s empty pied-a-terres to good use. An 85-year-old artist has painted more than 85 NYC streetscapes, documenting history by chronicling buildings and blocks that are facing the wrecking ball. More on the Times. Taylor Swift is the “Ambassador” of New York City. Business Insider has info on the, shall we […]

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October 28, 2014

Sportscaster Marv Albert Gets $15M for His Lincoln Square Apartment

Famed sportscaster Marv Albert has found a buyer for his sprawling penthouse located at 150 Columbus Avenue. The NYDN reports the "Voice of Basketball" and his wife, former ESPN producer Heather Albert, just inked a contract that points to a $14.9 million deal. The couple originally purchased the 3,553-square-foot penthouse back in 1996 for just $2.39 million, calling it their home for years before heading down to Tribeca—and turning this pretty sweet profit. The penthouse was listed just five months ago.
Inside the home

October 28, 2014

Cindy Gallop Puts Her Stefan Boublil-Designed “Black Apartment” Back on the Market for $6M

By Aisha Carter

New York City’s most famous bachelor pad—ironically owned by a woman—is back after being taken off the market earlier this year. The distinctive $5.995 million loft at 213 23rd Street, formerly the men’s locker room of the first YMCA in the U.S., was purchased by businesswoman Cindy Gallop in 2006 for $1.5 million. With an additional million, and the help of Stefan Boublil of interior design firm The Apartment, she gave the space a dramatic makeover, stating she wanted to feel like she was in a Shanghai nightclub. Its resulting “lacquered Chinese box” vibe has earned the Black Apartment a featuring role in Law & Order SVU, Notorious B.I.G’s “Nasty Girl” video, and many photo shoots. The notable home has undergone quite a transformation, rendering it practically unrecognizable as it prepares for a new owner, but let’s take a moment to admire its former interior in all its glitzy splendor.
See more of this unique pad, here

Distinctive Homes

October 27, 2014

Lights, Camera, Annoyance: Why NYC Is the New Hollywood and Not Everyone’s Happy About It

By Michelle Cohen

Film crews on your block: Yet another thing New Yorkers love to hate, whether it’s a case of grumble-brag or a genuine inconvenience. Some people love the opportunity to watch their favorite shows being made (and maybe get a peek at their favorite stars) and argue that it boosts the local economy. Others give the whole gig a big two thumbs down.
Find out who’s filming, where and when–and how you can make the most of it.

October 27, 2014

Gramercy Park Hotel Hits the Market and Could Fetch $260M

Get ready for another blockbuster sale. Following in the footsteps of Hilton who just sold off the Waldorf Astoria Hotel to Chinese Insurance Company Anbang for $1.95 billion, Aby Rosen and Michael Fuchs have put their prized Gramercy Park Hotel on the market. Crain‘s reports that the 186-room, 18-story hotel located at 2 Lexington Avenue […]

Events & Things To Do

Photo © Field Condition

October 27, 2014

Has the Failed B2 Tower Ruined Large-Scale Prefab Housing for the City?

Prefab housing has taken the world by storm in the last years, lauded for its low cost and flexibility, with buildings ranging from single-family homes to art schools popping up across the globe. But not until Forest City Ratner's plan for B2 BKLYN have we seen an attempt to build a large-scale module tower topping out at 32-stories—the world's tallest prefab tower. It's well known that the project has been a big flop; construction was far slower than originally projected and was halted in August amidst disputes between the builder, Skansa USA, and the developer, Forest City Ratner. In September lawsuits went flying, both pointing fingers as to why the whole thing failed. Forest City blamed the execution of the plan, while Skanska said the design was flawed. Fast-forward to today, and the work on the tower has been shut down with only 10 stories erected. A recent WSJ article looks at where the whole thing went awry, and more importantly: Is pre-fab construction even feasible at such a scale?
READ MORE

October 27, 2014

Real Estate Wire: You’re Never Too Old for Roommates; Fulton Transit Hub to Finally Open 11/10

As rents rise, New Yorkers 40 and older are hunting for roommates. [WSJ] The long-awaited Fulton transit hub will open to the public on November 10th. [DNA Info] Activists protest the creation of a new neighborhood in South Bronx. [Curbed] Four World Trade Center is officially open. [TRD] The New York Public Library will expand […]

Real Estate Trends

Steven Holl’s ‘Writing With Light House’ Plays with the Light That Filters through Its Wooden Skin

By Ana Lisa Alperovich

American architect and watercolorist Steven Holl was inspired by Jackson Pollock's 1949 'Seven in Eight' paintings when designing this stunning property. Called the 'Writing With Light House', it stands near the former abstract expressionist painter's studio on Long Island and features wide-open interiors brightened with natural light. Boasting a striking linear wooden skin that lets the elements filter through, the power of this design can be best appreciated when the light lines inside play with the spaces throughout the day.
Learn more about this playful wooden house

October 27, 2014

Philippe Is a Skeletal Lamp by Zia Priven Sure to Be the Backbone of Any Room

No, it's not a Halloween decoration. Philippe is a year-round floor lamp that's sure to spice up any room with its eerily glamorous appeal. Created by the lighting designers at Zia Priven, this lamp resembles a skeleton you might find at the doctor's office. The only difference is it's topped with lamp shade and comes finished in silver, bronze, or a natural-looking bone white.
More details on Philippe here

October 27, 2014

West Chelsea Loft Delivers Modern Elegance with Historic Charm

This beautiful three-bedroom, three-bath loft located in Chelsea at 325 West 16th Street is the perfect combination of modern design and classic charm of old New York. The unit was recently renovated and its rich character is highlighted with elegant architectural details including wood beams, wood columns and exposed brick. Its expansive dreamlike floor plan and state-of-the-art chef's kitchen are just the beginning for this home currently listed for $4.25 million.
Inside the Chelsea home here

Distinctive Homes

October 27, 2014

Daily Link Fix: Photos from the Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade; Ride a Vintage Train on the 110th Birthday of the Subway

AM New York has plenty of cute pup pics from Saturday’s Halloween dog parade at Tompkins Square Park. The Post unearths five hidden cemeteries across the city. Happy 110th birthday to the NYC subway system! To mark the event, the MTA has commissioned a vintage low-voltage train to ride on the 2/3 line today from 11am […]

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October 27, 2014

Renée Zellweger Lists Her Historic East Hampton Home for $4.45M

By Annie Doge

Believe it or not, this is a story about Renée Zellweger that has nothing to do with her new appearance. The actress has listed her historic East Hampton home for $4.45 million, quite a big increase from the $2.15 million she paid for it in 2003. Located at 30 Egypt Lane, a pretty prestigious street, the circa 1900, 2,000-square-foot farmhouse sits on almost a full acre of land with beautifully landscaped "mature gardens."
Take a look inside and around the grounds here

October 27, 2014

It’s Expected That Tourism Will Bring in 25% of One World Trade Center’s Revenue